Middle School Newsletter
Northland Innovation Center
SAGE Center Mission:
As the heart of the gifted community, the mission of the SAGE Center is to ensure all students, as members of a global society, foster their uniqueness, develop their potential, and embrace their true belonging through learning experiences distinguished by:
*Courageous exploration and discovery of passions in a flexible and innovative environment
*Support systems for students, staff, and community
*Ownership and self-regulation in a student-driven culture
November Newsletter
Guest Speaker
Program Goals
To provide curricula that focuses on more elaborate, complex, and in-depth study of major ideas, key concepts and themes that integrate knowledge within and across disciplines and encourages the use of higher-level thinking skills.
To provide curricula that sets high standards and that demands rigorous expectations for student work and performance demonstration.
To provide instruction that allows for the development and application of productive thinking skills and enables students to re-conceptualize existing knowledge and/or generate new understandings that deal with real-life problems and issues.
- To provide instruction that is flexibly paced and matched to the student’s ability, pre- assessment data, learning style, interest, and motivation.
- To provide opportunities for students to develop leadership and group interaction skills that allows student-centered discussion and Socratic questioning.
To require project based learning of gifted students that represents application, analysis, and synthesis of knowledge.
To encourage an environment that fosters a positive attitude toward creative challenges, investigative activity, and knowledge creation.
What We Are Learning
Odyssey of the Mind
App Studio
First Lego League
Broadcasting
Fab Lab
Students in the Fab Lab are working on hand sewing skills, such as threading a needle, tying a knot, sewing a running stitch and sewing on a button. They are also working toward earning their sewing machine license by proving they can use it independently. They will soon be sewing a drawstring bag before moving on to woodworking skills.
Students in Fab Lab are also getting a chance to use the Epson Laser Cutter and Etcher. In order to use the Epson Printer, students must first learn the hazards and precautions, what materials are safe to use in the Epson Printer, and how to use the printer. From that point, students get a crash course in using Adobe Illustrator. Abode Illustrator is the design software used to create their original works that are cut/etched. Most students are making a small wood 3x3inch design. Be looking for them to come through your doors in the near future.
It has been an exciting time in the FabLab. Students will finish their introduction courses in January at which point they will get to use their new skills to create an original product.
Cybersecurity
We have begun a project in which students are making their own digital escape room. They will go through the design process, as well as implement that design into a working website that will host their escape room. We will be working on this until the end of the year. When we come back in January, we will start to look at internet security.
Drones
Unlocking the Mysteries of Science
We have started the process of selecting our projects for the Science Fair. Below are the project categories and the handbooks that share all of the rules and regulations of the Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair. Your child will select their project before Winter Break and bring home a detailed description of their proposal and any needed materials.
This is a great opportunity to work with a STEM mentor to refine their project.
Student STEM Mentor Program – February 10 & March 10
Have you always wanted to do a Science & Engineering Fair Project, but didn’t know where to start? Do you have an idea but need help refining it? This program is for you! come work with mentors to get project ideas, identify resources and explore ways to work with STEM professionals in our community!
https://campscui.active.com/orgs/SciencePioneersInc#/selectSessions/2036102
Attached are the handbooks and scoring criteria for you to view:
Intermediate & Junior Division Handbooks
Intermediate Engineering Scoring Guide
Engineering Scoring Guide (Grades 7-12)
Junior (7-8) Experimental Scoring Guide
please contact melissa.torres@nkcschools.org with any questions.
Battle of the Brains
We have finished and submitted our Battle of the Brains projects and our students did an amazing job. Each team wrote a proposal outlining their idea for the exhibit including research, their inspiration, detailed descriptions of the exhibit, and how their idea will help others learn about the STEM concept they selected.
What is next?
We will work in project teams to build a city of the future. We will complete the Future City Challenge to learn about city planning and build a futuristic city. Students will learn about transportation, sustainability, and all the elements a city needs to function. We look forward to sharing our progress.
Stock Market Challenge
Graphic Design
Seminar
During Seminar this month we have discussed the question of, Am I free?, and learned about the belief of libertarianism and determinism and how they relate to free will. Students have also been exploring stress and anxiety.
You're Invited
Middle School S.A.G.E Team
Shon Adamson
Cybersecurity & Drones
816-321-4009
Melissa Duffett
Stock Market & Odyssey of the Mind
melissa.duffett@nkcschools.org
Jennifer Koch
Graphic Design & Augmented Reality
816-321-6710
Cassandra Shaffer
Fab Lab
816-321-5988
cassandra.shaffer@nkcschools.org
Lara Owsley
Broadcasting
816-321-4216
Lara.bradleyowsley@nkcschools.org
Cassie Fogel
Lego Robotics, App Studio, Odyssey of the Mind
816-321-4605
Wendy Rust
Fab Lab
816-321-6558
Melissa Torres
Battle of the Brain & Mysteries of Science
816-321-8719
Northland Innovation Center
Website: http://www.nkcschools.org/page.cfm?p=2774
Location: 6889 North Oak Trafficway, Gladstone, MO, United States
Phone: 816-321-5350
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Northland-Innovation-Center/1063895487035799
Twitter: @NKC_SAGE